Effective insulation is paramount when it comes to the storage of dairy products, as maintaining precise temperature and humidity levels is essential to preserving product quality. It’s for these reasons that insulated metal panels (IMPs), with their advanced insulation properties and effectiveness as a highly efficient thermal barrier, are popular choices for food storage buildings, and why IMPs from Norbec were utilized for the new Ninth Avenue Foods facility in Columbus, IN.

As a family-owned enterprise specializing in the production of extended shelf-life dairy and dairy alternative products, Ninth Avenue Foods relies on a unique combination of high-temperature processes and an ultra-clean filling environment. This distinctive approach empowers them to package dairy and non-dairy products with an extended shelf-life, all while preserving the essential nutritional qualities of their offerings.

Force Design Inc. was the architect for the Ninth Avenue project while an associated company, Force Construction, was the general contractor. Both firms are based in Columbus. For the 260,000 sq. ft. beverage production facility, the design/build team utilized Norbec panels for the building envelope, and for the interior walls and ceilings. The panel systems were installed by Quality Interiors Inc. of nearby Indianapolis. IMPs are becoming an increasingly favored construction product for their ability to minimize building envelope completion schedules, and their quick installation in this case was critical to meeting Ninth Avenue Foods' tight project timeline.

Two types of Norbec panels were used on the project: Norex-L & Norex-S. All the panels are 4” thick and have 26-gauge interior skins, but both 22-gauge and 26-gauge exterior skins were specified.

The interior skins are fluted and painted Bright White with a smooth finish. The exterior panel profiles are Silkline and Micro-Ribbed. Colors are Bright White, White White and Dark Brown, all with a smooth finish.